Yet another algae question.

M

Mallett

I posted this on another board, but would like the thoughts of my local DFW hobbyist as well.

I'm starting to get a little frustrated with this algae bloom I'm getting in my BC14. I think it's diatoms but I'm so frustrated with trying to get past this that I'm starting to second guess myself. So hopefully I can get some opinions and suggestions here.

I understand that since my tank is only 3 months old, it's quite common to experience a bloom like this still. However, I suspect that I should at least be able to control it somewhat after two weeks. I have reduced my feeding to basically none since all of my corlas now are photo feeders and not filter feeders. I have also increased the frequency of my water changes.

On top of this I have a higher nitrate level, floating around the 30ppm mark that I can't seem to reduce. I have found myself using purigen and chemi-pure to try and combat this. Yet I'm still having no luck. So, what would you guys suggest? I'm really scared more of the nitrates than the bloom for my corals.

I have no fish. CUC consists of 2 turbos, 2 margaritas, 3 hermits, and 3 or 4 ceriths. Bio load isn't exactly an issue here I don't think.
 
what water are you using? I use the ro water from walmart machines and have 0 bloom. you phosphates might be high and be causing that?
 
Been getting my top off and SW from DNA. Haven't been mixing my own. Which is not a good idea. I really need to get into the habit of mixing my own in the case of emergencies.

I haven't tested the water I get for phosphates yet, but the tank water is good. However, the algae could be using up the phosphates at a faster rate than I can test for. Not sure.

Think I'm going to mix my own batch for this weekends water change and see how it goes.
 
You need to be patient.. your just starting to really mature the tank. Cycling is the first step, but people often forget that a tank will go through an algae cycle as well. Most tanks go through a brown, then a green, then settle down. In the meantime siphon as much as you can with a vaccum, reduce your lights and reduce feeding. At 3 months you shouldn't have much in the way of livestock coral wise, so reduced light won't hurt anything. Don't do water changes overly much as that can fuel things like this... just wait it out and continue doing what you do. Eventually your tank will settle down be happy.

In the meantime, I would try allgone. Its effective at taking up nitrates so that will help you get those down.
 
Well continuing on the regime I had been doing, the tank is actually starting to look much better. My feeding had already been nothing, since all of current corals are photosynthetic anyhow. So thanks for the tips guys. Looks like I'm good, just was letting frustration get the best of me.

Oh and I did end up adding a few more hermits. :wink:
 
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